Archives for December 1998

Q. Has anybody (i.e., any landed immigrant) received RRP for receiving a paid practical training in the US ? I want to know what to do in order to receive RRP while working to gain some paid vocational training (while on PT), and gain some experience in the US.

Answer: Recently, the immigration Department has adopted an apparent policy of refusing RRP applications in cases where the applicant as not been resident in Canada for a sufficient period of time, even in the presence of demonstration of ties established to Canada. This often applies where
individual land in Canada and return to their country of previous residence to continue working or studying.

Although the refusal of the RRP does not remove status from the applicant, such a refusal may be held against the applicant upon subsequent return to Canada. In some cases therefore, it may not be to the applicant’s advantage to apply for the RRP.

If you do choose to apply for the RRP, demonstration of any ties that you have established to Canada should be demonstrated, along with evidence of the employment, and its duration.

Q. Does a certificate i.e.: MSCE certificate hold the same “value” or weight as a degree from a university?

Answer: For the purpose of the immigration procedure, no, it does not. As the MCSE does not have a specific time frame in which the studies are undergone, it is often the case that this certification, on its own, does not warrant any points in excess of those obtained for the previous level of education
completed.

Q. My cousin applied for Canadian PR couple of years ago and got refused due to lack of work experience. Now he has experience and he is thinking about applying again. Can he just send an application with proper fee since Buffalo already has everything from him (his old file). or he needs to send everything all over? Because if he mentions on application that he has applied before, they can always pull his old records. Don’t they keep your old records (refused applications etc) ?

Answer: Records are kept for applications which have been refused. Immigration officials, however, do not simply reopen such files with new fees, and may not even be allowed to by law. If the individual wishes to resubmit the case, it should be an entirely new application, with all relevant materials.

Q. I have sent my application forms to Singapore a year ago. I would like to transfer my application to Buffalo. I will go to Buffalo for the interview if need be. How long will the transfer take? The processing time at Buffalo is shorter, about 4-6 months, according to what I read in this newsgroup. Can I assume that it will take 6-8 months for Buffalo to process my application?

Answer: The processing time in Buffalo is shorter than Singapore, in general. The time frame that you have quoted, however, is much shorter than cases where an interview is required. As you are submitting the application from outside of the jurisdiction of the Buffalo IAPC, an interview will almost certainly be
required. IN such a case, the application will likely take approximately 12 months.

The transfer of the case will likely take a minimum of 6-8 weeks. Processing will recommence from the beginning at that point.

The Minister of Citizenship and Immigration and M.P. for Westmount-Ville Marie, Lucienne Robillard, today tabled in the House of Commons the 1999 Immigration Plan, in which she sets out the immigration levels forecast for the coming year and the anticipated results for the current year.

Canada is expected to receive between 180,000 and 200,000 immigrants and refugees this year, although the number forecast was 200,000 to 225,000.

“The main reason the desired levels for 1998 were not reached was the severe economic crisis in Asia,” Minister Robillard stated. “Over 15,000 people in Asian countries to whom Canada had granted right of entry changed their minds at the last minute and decided not to emigrate.”

This decline primarily affects the so-called “economic” immigrants, that is, workers recruited for their skills. The Minister said that she was “pleased to see that the number of immigrants sponsored by members of their immediate families is on the increase.” The Minister also expressed pleasure at the fact that Canada will reach its objective of welcoming 7,300 refugees
from abroad.

Minister Robillard is keeping the same forecast for 1999. The desired levels remain the same: between 200,000 and 225,000 people.

“Canada wants to make it very clear to the international community that its doors are still just as wide open, despite a difficult economic situation,” the Minister said.”We are confident that we will see the Asian financial markets stabilize and the immigration numbers rise again in the coming year”.

The Immigration Plan for 1999, entitled Canada – A Welcoming Land, sets out estimates by class. Canada expects to receive between 177,900 and 195,700 immigrants and between 22,100 and 29,300 refugees.

“A number of factors are taken into account in setting the immigration levels. Canada needs qualified workers, and we support family reunification. But at the same time we take into account Canada’s capacity to integrate newcomers. And we are going to maintain our great humanitarian tradition by once again taking in many refugees,” the Minister indicated.

“Canada will continue to welcome immigrants who will work together with other Canadians to build a more prosperous and more open society.”

The visa operations of the Canadian Embassy in Belgrade have been disrupted because of the crisis over Kosovo. We hope the situation improves so that we can get back to normal soon but, for now, our ability to provide service is somewhat restricted.

VISITOR VISAS:

We resumed Visitor Visa service in Belgrade on October 1 9.

Applicants should send or bring to the Embassy in Belgrade all required supporting documents, the appropriate fees, and completed forms.

As our capacity is still limited, there may be delays in processing applications. People who wish to go to Canada at a later date might wish to postpone applying for a few weeks, to avoid possible inconvenience-

IMMIGRANT PROCESSING:

Immigration files in Process were transferred temporarily to the Canadian Embassy in VIENNA

A very small staff in Vienna is carrying out some processing, on receipt of instruction from Belgrade. They cannot deal directly with clients.

Applicants who have been asked to submit documents to the Embassy in Belgrade should do so. Staff there will transfer information to Vienna as required.

Applicants who have instructions (for example to undergo medical examinations or p ROLF fees) should follow them as soon as possible.

No Immigrant interviews will be held.

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